Editing Beach Park, Illinois (section)

==Illinois Beach State Park==
Beach Park is the home to the South Beach section of [[Illinois Beach State Park]], which is otherwise located in [[Winthrop Harbor, Illinois|Winthrop Harbor]]. The beach was originally part of [[Camp Logan, Illinois|Camp Logan]], a [[rifle range]] developed by the [[Illinois National Guard]] in 1892. In [[World War I]] and [[World War II]] it served as a rifle range for the [[Great Lakes Naval Training Station]]. The range remained in operation until 1973, when it was transferred to the Illinois Department of Conservation.  In 1950, the Illinois Dunes Preservation Society was established to maintain the natural qualities of the beach. With the help of the Illinois Department of Conservation the area south of Beach Road was established as the state's first natural preserve. The northern beach, between Beach Road and the [[Wisconsin]] state border, was obtained between 1971 and 1982.<ref>[http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/R2/ILBEACH.HTM Illinois Department of Natural Resources] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070601234029/http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/R2/ILBEACH.HTM |date=June 1, 2007 }}, dnr.state.il.us. Accessed January 5, 2008.</ref>

The south beach is now home of the Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center. The North Point Marina is at the north beach. This is Illinois' newest and largest marina and the largest freshwater marina in the United States.<ref>[http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/NORTH_PO/INDEX.htm North Point Marina] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070603195752/http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/NORTH_PO/INDEX.htm |date=June 3, 2007 }}</ref>

More than 650 species of plants have been recorded in the dunes area alone, including dozens of types of colorful wildflowers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park - Parks|url=https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/AdelineJayGeo-KarisIllinoisBeach.aspx|access-date=August 3, 2021|website=www2.illinois.gov}}</ref>

On May 9, 2000, the area encompassing Illinois Beach State Park and North Point Marina was officially designated as the Cullerton Complex in honor of [[William J. Cullerton|William J. Cullerton Sr.]], war hero, avid environmentalist and long-time friend of conservation.<ref name=ctribune2>{{cite news |first=Laurie|last=Grano|title=Cullerton Complex Christened At State Park |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2000/05/10/cullerton-complex-christened-at-state-park/ |work= [[Chicago Tribune]] |date=May 10, 2000 |access-date=January 25, 2013}}</ref>